Life

Only '90s Kids Understand These Memes

Sep. 24, 2015

I realize that pretty much every day is Throwback Thursday now, regardless as to what day of the week it actually is — but today, let's celebrate #TBT for real with one of the Internet's favorite type of jokes: Memes. The appeal of memes lies in the fact that they're super relateable — and, I would argue, in their exclusivity (that is, if you get it, you get it). As such, these memes only '90s kids understand are sure to strike a chord with a huge number of people who grew up during that most hallowed of decades. So let's revel in this giant, massive club all of us belong to purely by dint of our birthdays, shall we?

The word “meme” actually has two definitions. According to the Oxford English Dictionaries, its primary meaning is actually, “An element of a culture or system of behavior that may be considered to be passed from one individual to another by nongenetic means, especially imitations.” When Richard Dawkins (and yes, I know — I have complicated feelings about Richard Dawkins, too) coined the term in his 1976 book The Selfish Gene, this is the meaning he was talking about. Since then, though, the word has developed a second, arguably more common meaning, as well: “A humorous image, video, piece of eext, etc. that is copied (often with slight variations) and spread rapidly by Internet users.

This, of course, is the type of meme that concerns us right now. From Crying Dawson and his '90s Kid Problems to how you knew it was going to be a good day at school, most '90s kids will probably get a kick out of these hilarious words and images. Happy Throwback Thursday, everyone!

1. Tragedy!

Seriously. It may as well have been the end of the world.

2. True Love

Will and Kate are fleeting (or at least, our obsession with them probably is). Cory and Topanga, though? They're eternal.

3. But Also True Friendship

Unless that's how all participants roll, in which case knock yourselves out (metaphorically speaking, of course).

4. The Original Selfie

Game Boy Camera was taking selfies before selfies were cool. And probably with fewer casualities.

5. The Glow of Victory...

The best.

6. ...And the Soul-Crushing Despair of Defeat

The worst.

7. Does Anyone Else Try This When No One Is Looking?

But hey, if you made it all the way to Power Rangers RPM, at least you know that the Rangers don't really get it, either. (Why, yes, I watch Power Rangers as a grown-ass adult. Why do you ask?)